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Breaking Down San Francisco 49ers’ 2016 Salary Cap Situation

By Bryan Knowles

Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) celebrates after the 49ers recovered an onside kick during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during a player injury against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during a player injury against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Wide Receivers

[table id=28 /]

Free Agents: Anquan Boldin, Andrew Turilli (ERFA)

Torrey Smith’s deal keeps him with the team through 2019, and the specific cap numbers essentially guarantee he will be on the roster through 2016 or 2017. Last season was, by far, the worst in his career—he set career-lows in receptions, targets and yards, and tied for a career low in touchdowns. I’m willing to put a significant portion of that blame on Geep Chryst’s offensive system, and I wouldn’t be too concerned about his cap number for next season. We’ll see how he can perform in Chip Kelly’s offense; he could play the same role DeSean Jackson and Riley Cooper did for Kelly, stretching the field.

After that, the 49ers don’t have much money attached to the receiver position, which could mean a free agent or two brought in to better work in Kelly’s system. There aren’t a lot of top receivers available—Alshon Jeffery is the cream of the crop, but the cost of acquiring him is probably going to be too much for the 49ers’ general philosophy.

They could bring Anquan Boldin back if he’s interested—even turning 36 in October, he’s still a very viable possession receiver. They could also look towards Marvin Jones from Cincinnati or Travis Benjamin from Cleveland. I think they’ll have to add someone, in free agency or the draft, because a top three of Smith, Jerome Simpson and either Quinton Patton or Bruce Ellington isn’t particularly threatening, and DeAndre Smelter has yet to play an NFL snap, so he can’t be fully counted on yet. It seems very likely that they’ll look to upgrade the position.

Next: Tight Ends